[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 9, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6800-S6801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 113--TO AMEND THE STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE TO 
REQUIRE THAT THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES 
   BE RECITED AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE DAILY SESSION OF THE SENATE

  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire (for himself, Mr. McConnell, Mrs. 
Feinstein, and Mr. Helms) submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration:

                              S. Res. 113

       Whereas the Flag of the United States of America is our 
     Nation's most revered and preeminent symbol;
       Whereas the Flag of the United States of America is 
     recognized and respected throughout the world as a symbol of 
     democracy, freedom, and human rights;
       Whereas, in the words of the Chief Justice of the United 
     States, the Flag of the United States of America ``in times 
     of national crisis, inspires and motivates the average 
     citizen to make personal sacrifices in order to achieve 
     societal goals of overriding importance . . . and serves as a 
     reminder of the paramount importance of pursuing the ideals 
     that characterize our society'';
       Whereas the House of Representatives of the United States 
     has opened each of its daily sessions with the Pledge of 
     Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America since 
     1988; and
       Whereas opening each of the daily sessions of the Senate of 
     the United States with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag 
     of the United States would demonstrate reverence for the Flag 
     and serve as a daily reminder to all Senators of the ideals 
     that it represents: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That paragraph 1(a) of rule IV of the Standing 
     Rules of the Senate is amended by inserting after ``prayer by 
     the Chaplain'' the following: ``and after the Presiding 
     Officer leads the Senate in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance 
     to the Flag of the United States''.
  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, the resolution that I am 
submitting today provides that immediately following the prayer such as 
we just heard this morning by Chaplain Ogilvie, at the beginning of 
each daily session of the Senate, the Presiding Officer of the Senate 
would lead the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the 
United States.
  I am pleased and honored that the chairman of the Rules Committee, 
Senator McConnell, as well as Senator Feinstein, Senator Helms, an 
Senator Lott, have joined me as original cosponsors of this resolution.
  The flag of the United States is our most revered and preeminent 
symbol, and the flag is recognized and respected throughout the world 
as a symbol of democracy, freedom, and human rights. As you know, the 
House of Representatives has such a flag salute in the morning at the 
beginning of each day. I think it is appropriate that the Senate follow 
suit. It is probably long overdue.
  The Chief Justice of the United States, William Rehnquist, has 
written that the flag of the United States of America ``in times of 
national crisis, inspires and motivates the average citizen to make 
personal sacrifices in order to achieve societal goals of overriding 
importance . . . and serves as a reminder of the paramount importance 
of pursuing the ideals that characterize our society.''
  Many Americans, including my father, have given their lives to 
protect freedom and democracy as symbolized by this flag. Our family 
was presented with a flag at the burial, as so many other families of 
veterans have also experienced. It means a great deal, and I think it 
is appropriate that we salute the flag every morning to start our 
business.
  Since 1988, as I said, the House of Representatives has demonstrated 
its reverence and respect for the flag, and all of the ideals for which 
it stands, by opening its morning session with the Pledge of 
Allegiance.
  I wish to give credit to a constituent of mine. I would like to take 
credit for the idea--perhaps I should have thought of it--but it came 
from Rebecca Stewart of Enfield, NH, who recently contacted my office 
and suggested that the Senate should do what the House does--open each 
session with the Pledge of Allegiance. I thought that was a great idea 
and contacted several members of the Senate Rules Committee to get a 
sense of the level of support on that committee for the idea, and I was 
pleased and delighted by the response from Rules.
  The result then is the resolution I am submitting today. I might also 
in conclusion point out that Monday, June 14, is Flag Day. It would be 
a great tribute if we could get this resolution to the floor and pass 
it sometime on or before Monday, June 14. We do have time this week to 
do that. It is my hope we can move this legislation out of Rules 
quickly and bring it to the floor. I understand Senator McConnell will 
be in the Chamber to speak on this matter very shortly.
  Mr. President, I trust that the Senate will see fit to promptly adopt 
this resolution. I hope that it will receive the unanimous support of 
my colleagues in the Senate.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the senior Senator from New Hampshire, 
Mr. Bob Smith, introduced a rules

[[Page S6801]]

change which I, as chairman of the Rules Committee, am happy to 
cosponsor. I commend our colleague, Senator Bob Smith, for an excellent 
and outstanding idea.
  Since 1892, Americans have expressed their reverence for the flag of 
this Nation and all it represents by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. 
The Pledge was first recited at the 1892 World's Fair to commemorate 
the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. Since that time, 
hundreds and thousands of civic organizations and schoolchildren have 
taken time before turning to their work to recite these moving words:

       I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of 
     America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation 
     under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

  Mr. President, I can remember as a schoolchild in Athens, Alabama, 
standing at my desk, placing my hand over my heart, fixing my eyes upon 
the flag, and reciting these eloquent words. I suspect many of our 
colleagues here in the Senate had the same experience in school as they 
were growing up.
  Even at that early age, pledging allegiance to the flag encouraged me 
to think about the history and ideals of this Nation. It was an 
important ritual for schoolchildren then. It should be an important 
ritual for the Senate now.
  Presently, we begin each day's business here in the Senate with a 
prayer. This solemn act reminds us of certain principles and values 
that we as a people hold dear. Similarly, daily recitation of the 
pledge would serve as an inspirational start to each legislative day.
  The pledge is a time for reflecting on the inspiring history and 
ideals of liberty and freedom that the Stars and Stripes represents. 
Setting aside this time each day will serve to remind Americans of the 
venerated place the flag holds in our country and our culture.
  Mr. President, among my most prized possessions is the American flag 
which honored, as he was laid to rest, my father's service to our 
Nation. That flag rests proudly on the marble mantel in my Senate 
office.
  A clinical assessment of that flag would conclude that it is some 
mixture of cotton fabric, dyed red, white, and blue. But for me, it 
harkens back to the selfless patriotism of a father who fought for his 
Nation during World War II, a father who instilled in his son an awe 
and abiding respect for this great Nation we are all so fortunate to 
call home.
  Old Glory has been a beacon of hope for over 200 years, a touchstone 
for patriotic Americans, and a source of comfort and pride for 
individuals at home and abroad. In the words of Senator Charles Sumner, 
``In a foreign land, the flag is companionship, and country itself, 
with all its endearments.''
  The flag is, without question, a powerful symbol the world over. For 
nearly every American, it is the most powerful patriotic inspiration.
  It is my distinct honor today to cosponsor this resolution as 
chairman of the Senate Rules Committee. I also want to commend my good 
friend from New Hampshire, Senator Bob Smith, for an excellent idea and 
for his leadership on this issue. The Senate should promptly pass this 
resolution to begin every day in the Senate Chamber with the pledge of 
allegiance to our flag and to the Republic for which it stands, the 
Republic to which we have dedicated ourselves as Senators.

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